Empowering users with Microsoft / Office 365

#Microsoft365 – I love and use the #Windows Button on my keyboard SO much, that I have a tattoo of it. Ok, I’m kidding – but I could – and that would be totally cool!! It’s something I use at least a 100 times a day and it’s also the first thing I show users when training. You’d think everyone knows it and uses it – but I am amazed at how few people do.

This little magic Windows Button has been around long before Windows 8 was released – but I only started using it then when I upgraded to Windows 8. Why? Because the start button was gone. Yup – forced to use it – and I’ve never looked back. Thank you Microsoft for forcing me to grow up and start searching for stuff – as opposed to navigating.

So what can we do with the Windows Button?

Apart from pressing the Windows button to search for anything on my pc (programs, files & settings), I also use it in combination with other keys as shortcuts:

Press this key

To do this

Windows logo key

Display or hide the Start screen

+,

Temporarily peek at the desktop

+/

Initiate IME reconversion

+Alt+Enter

Open WindowsMedia Center

+Alt+number

Open the desktop and open the Jump List for the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

+B

Set focus in the notification area

+C

Open the Charms

+Ctrl+B

Switch to the app that displayed a message in the notification area

+Ctrl+F

Search for PCs (if you’re on a network)

+Ctrl+number

Open the desktop and switch to the last active window of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

+Ctrl+Shift+number

Open the desktop and open a new instance of the app located at the given position on the taskbar as an administrator

+Ctrl+Spacebar

Change to a previously selected input

+Ctrl+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

+D

Display and hide the desktop

+Down arrow

Remove current app from screen or minimize the desktop window

+E

Open File Explorer

+Enter

Open Narrator

+Esc

Exit Magnifier

+F

Open the Search charm and search for files

+H

Open the Share charm

+Home

Minimize all but the active desktop window (restores all windows on second stroke)

+I

Open the Settings charm

+K

Open the Devices charm

+L

Lock your PC or switch people

+Left arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the left side of the screen

+M

Minimize all windows

+number

Open the desktop and start the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number. If the app is already running, switch to that app.

+O

Lock device orientation

+P

Choose a presentation display mode

+Pause

Display the System Properties dialog box

+period (.)

Cycle through open apps

+plus (+) or minus (-)

Zoom in or out using Magnifier

+Q

Open the Search charm to search everywhere or within the open app (if the app supports app search)

+R

Open the Run dialog box

+Right arrow

Maximize the app or desktop window to the right side of the screen

+S

Open the Search charm to search Windows and the web

+Shift+Down arrow

Restore/minimize active desktop windows vertically, maintaining width

+Shift+Left or Right arrow

Move an app or window in the desktop from one monitor to another

+Shift+M

Restore minimized windows on the desktop

+Shift+number

Open the desktop and start a new instance of the app pinned to the taskbar in the position indicated by the number

+Shift+period (.)

Cycle through open apps

+Shift+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps) in reverse order

+Shift+Up arrow

Stretch the desktop window to the top and bottom of the screen

+Shift+V

Cycle through notifications in reverse order

+Spacebar

Switch input language and keyboard layout

+T

Cycle through apps on the taskbar

+Tab

Cycle through recently used apps (except desktop apps)

+U

Open Ease of Access Center

+Up arrow

Maximize the window

+V

Cycle through notifications

+W

Open the Search charm and search for settings

+X

Open the Quick Link menu

+Z

Show the commands available in the app

Resources:

I will write 365 blogs in 365 days around Microsoft 365. I did a similar challenge with Office 365, blogs can be found here. I won’t just be talking about the new Microsoft 365 subscription model. I will be sharing any news, tips and tricks around Office / Office 365 / Windows / Mobility and Security. And let’s not forget all the great new Apps & services available. A lot of what I’ll share on Office and SharePoint will also be applicable to none “Office 365” versions.